Koh Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is known to tourists and travellers worldwide for its Full Moon Parties, attracting up to 30,000 every full moon evening for a riotous experience that climaxes with dancing as the sun rises.

But many come to here to experience an entirely different way of life. The North and West side of Koh Phangan is a more spiritual place, with an abundance of yoga courses, meditation retreats, healthy restaurants and good food.

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second city – but with only 300,000 people it comes a long way after Bangkok and its 8 million. It’s a less visited spot in Thailand than Bangkok and the southern islands and beach resorts, up in the north, a 14-hour sleeper train or 1.5-hour plane journey from Bangkok. But it’s worth the trip. It has a charming, relaxed feel, with a huge number of temples (approx. 300), and with a rule in place within the old city moat (yes, it has a moat) that a high-rise can’t be built within 93m of a temple, the old city has a very different feel from Bangkok. Here’s our pick of some of the highlights of the area.

We’ve all heard about the usual sights on the tourist trail, the temples, the palaces, the river cruises and the floating markets. But how do locals spend their time in Bangkok? We quizzed an ex-pat mate and his Bangkok born and bred better half to spill the beans….(in case you don’t notice, they like to eat, drink and shop- but who doesn’t?!)